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Well, we made it, arriving safely in John O’Groats on Saturday afternoon after cycling more than 1,000 miles in 10 days covering the full length of Great Britain!!!   This involved conquering some of the hardest climbs in the country and coping with some of the worst weather the British Isles has to offer including the last 55 miles into a 19 mph headwind!!! Particular thanks go to the CFS Connect Team for all their help and support that made it all possible, to The Co-Operative Group for providing our support vehicle which was perfect for the task, to Dutch Maid for covering the cost of the fuel for the journey, to Veronica, the long-suffering Mrs Fowler, who chivvied us along and made sure we were fed, watered and encouraged through long difficult days, and to all relatives, friends and colleagues who were keeping track of our progress along the way.   Thanks again for all your donations and we hope that our efforts can help make an impact and raise awareness of this extremely serious and often life changing disease.   Meningitis Facts   1.  Every year, around 2,500 cases of bacterial meningitis, and possibly double that of viral meningitis, occur in the UK.   2.  10% of these cases result in death.   3.  5% of those who survive meningitis are left with severe after-effects such as brain damage, hearing and sight loss, and where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs and scarring.   4.  Meningitis kills more UK children under the age of five than any other infectious disease.   As we have personally been affected, we know that it is crucially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease as swift treatment at an early stage is the only thing which can reduce the risk to an individual's long term health. We want the general public to be able to spot the early signs of infection and take action fast.   The Meningitis Trust is the UK's longest established meningitis charity which helps and supports over 20,000 people each year that have been affected by meningitis. The trust, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, provides lifelong practical and emotional support to victims and their families and its commitment to raising awareness of the disease is vital in reducing its long term effects on those who are infected.   Even if you can only give a little, every little helps and will be gratefully received. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is the most efficient way to sponsor us, the meningitis Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your donation at no cost to you.   £10 will buy 1,000 symptoms cards, one of which could save someone's life.   £30 will pay for two hours of a nurse's time on the trust's 24 hour helpline.   £25 - £2,000 will enable the trust to award a financial grant to help someone re build their life after Meningitis. From a grant to pay for a specially adapted tricycle to increase a child's mobility, or musical toys to stimulate a child's senses and encourage them to enjoy playing with the help of artificial limbs.   For more information, including 'symptoms' and 'taking action' please visit   <a href="http://www.meningitis-trust.org/meningitis-info/signs-and-symptoms/">http://www.meningitis-trust.org/meningitis-info/signs-and-symptoms/</a>   Thank you for your support,   David, Steve and Steve   Offline donations from Phil and Dave Lowndes; George Bannister; Gorsia and Staff at Drs Koria and White, Irlam. All the staff at CFS Connect; News International and Talk Talk Communications, Irlam, Irlam Rotary Club, Julie Trenbath, Jim and Jean Parker, Jane King, Jo and Sarah Schofield.

One Thousand Miles for Meningitis

One Thousand Miles for Meningitis

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